You may soon hear "Hallelujah" all over campus: Rufus Wainwright is coming to Penn.
The singer perhaps best known for his rendition of "Hallelujah" in Shrek will headline a concert in Irvine Auditorium this October.
Social Planning and Events Committee members chose the alternative-pop singer for the annual concert on Oct. 6 because they thought he had a good reputation on campus.
And they may very well be right.
"I'll definitely go with my friends," College sophomore Erica Beavers said.
Wainwright has toured with artists like Ben Folds, Tori Amos and Guster, and he often performs with his sister Martha, an up-and-coming musician.
SPEC Concerts co-chairman and Wharton senior Matt Mizrahi said he could not disclose how much the organization paid for Wainwright's appearance. SPEC was allocated $648,758 in the spring by the Undergraduate Assembly for its annual budget, which pays for events like the Spring Fling concert and speakers throughout the year.
Last year's concert featured low-key rocker Howie Day. All 1,100 tickets - at $10 each - were sold before the show.
But Wainwright may not be well-known enough for some Penn students.
"I don't go to these concerts because they don't usually have mainstream bands," said Engineering junior Vasudev Kulkarni. "I'd be willing to pay a lot more if they have better-known bands."
But Mizrahi is confident Wainwright will attract quite a crowd. He said SPEC Concerts is planning to advertise both on Locust Walk and via Facebook advertisements.
Tickets will be available at SPEC's "No Place Like Penn" events - including the popular comedy hypnotist's show on Sept. 15 - next week for $8.
Starting Sept. 18, they will be priced at $10 on Locust Walk. They will cost $15 the week of the show and $20 at the door.
